Last Friday, I began a collaboration with Grady Haugerud, doing “mixed media” artwork on canvas. Atlanta’s influential, prominent artist, after living and working in New York for a few years, Grady works on his art in Panama now. When he lived in Atlanta, he and I travelled in the same art circles. We knew the same people, artist retreats, galleries and stories. At one time, he collaborated with another painter friend of mine and the results were amazing.

I had never met Grady Haugerud. After he moved to Panama, I gradually got to know him on social media, mainly on Facebook. We would post photos of our paintings and he liked my work; I liked his. We obviously shared the same aesthetic. As well as heritage. He’s half Norwegian and I am close to half.

Anyway, back to last Friday. We met each other for the first time. And for a few days, we worked on the above painting together. It is called “Multiple Gorillas,” oil, acrylic, collage, charcoal, China marker, graphite, pastel and sharpie on canvas, 36” x 48”, 2016.

I know. I think Grady is probably the only one I would like to collaborate with. We talked about adding a third person, but plans are vague. It was fun working with Grady. Doug mentioned that there is a little bit of gloom to it. And I said I think it is because of our Norwegian heritage. We couldn’t escape a little of that. 🙂

Hollis, as I said earlier on FB, this is a fantastic collaboration! I’m so glad you posted the entire canvas within the perspective of you both standing next to it; I hadn’t realized til now what a large scale the canvas is. I really love it – the overall “swirling” oval composition, the abstracted critters – and the muted pinks of your palette. Even though distance is a consideration, I’d love to see more future collaborative works from you and Grady!

Thanks, Patricia. Yes, we both have decided to do some more work together. It went really well. I think scale has a lot to do with it. That is why I did post the two photos of us. Because “in person,” it really is pretty amazing because of the scale. I think we have a prospective buyer already.